Public Holidays in Italy for 2019
A lot of the Italian holidays are like the ones in the Western world, like Christmas or New Year. There are 12 public holidays celebrated in Italy every year, and these are for rest and celebration. They range from national to religious holidays that are widely observed by most of the people.
During Italy’s public holidays, institutions such as schools and post offices are closed. Most of the private businesses are closed during these national holidays, but this is based on their discretion. The recent year has witnessed more, and a lot of them choose to stay open.
If you are wondering about the public holidays in Italy because you want to set up a business, you will know more about it here. As an employer, you must give what your employees need during these holidays.
What Employers Must Know About these Public Holidays
Based on the Italy labour laws, employers must provide employees with a paid day off for national holidays. Italy also has regional holidays, and every major city will be closed to commemorate their patron saint. These holidays are nationally recognized, and in those areas, employers must have a paid day off during those dates. In general, smaller towns celebrate patron saint day of the biggest city that is closest to them.
As an employee in Italy, you must be allowed to take 20 days off a year, which is the average among countries in Europe.
A lot of the contracts, specifically for state employees, allow 28 days or five weeks of paid leave a year. Employees who are on this contract have the most extended holidays in Europe, which is the same as the UK where they allow at least 28 days.
Dates of the Italy Public Holiday 2019
| Date | Day/s | Holiday | Type |
| 1 January | Tuesday | New Year’s Day | National |
| 6 January | Sunday | Epiphany | National |
| 20 March | Wednesday | March Equinox | Season |
| 19 April | Friday | Good Friday | Observance |
| 21 April | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| 22 April | Monday | Easter Monday | National |
| 25 April | Thursday | Liberation Day | National |
| 25 April | Thursday | The Feast of St Mark (Venice) | Local |
| 1 May | Wednesday | Labor Day | National |
| 2 June | Sunday | Republic Day | National |
| 21 June | Friday | June Solstice | Season |
| 24 June | Monday | The Feast of St. John (Florence, Genoa, Turin) | Local |
| 29 June | Saturday | The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (Rome) | Local |
| 15 August | Thursday | Assumption of Mary | National |
| 15 August | Thursday | Ferragosto | Observance |
| 19 September | Thursday | The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) | Local |
| 23 September | Monday | September Equinox | Season |
| 1 November | Friday | All Saints’ Day | National |
| 7 December | Saturday | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local |
| 8 December | Sunday | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National |
| 22 December | Sunday | December Solstice | Season |
| 25 December | Wednesday | Christmas Day | National |
| 26 December | Thursday | St. Stephen’s Day | National |
| 31 December | Tuesday | New Year’s Eve | Observance |
Benefits of Employees During Public Holidays
Employees must be given at least four weeks’ paid holiday annually. The collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and contracts for individuals provide a more extended holiday entitlement period. The minimum days of annual leave are not replaceable by lieu payment unless the employment contract was terminated.
Based on a reform, employees may transfer their accrued hourly leave and holiday entitlement given free to employees from the same company. It is to provide them with time to let them take care of minor children with health conditions and need treatments continuously.
Employees still receive standard pay even on vacation, except the indemnities that are connected to actual work.
During an employee’s maternity leave, she must receive an allowance from the National Social Security Body that is 80 of their average salary.
Employees can work for the same job after the maternity leave. Employers are not allowed to dismiss female employees while they are pregnant and until the child turns one. However, there are exceptions.
Doing Business in Italy
Italy is one of the seven most industrialized countries in the world, and its production industry is highly-developed. Italy’s economy is one of the widest in the world that encompasses almost any kind of industry. Its focus is mainly on electronics, cars, machinery, and fashion products. They usually import raw materials.
You must build a close relationship with your Italian business partners. They will typically express their disagreement about your proposal, so you must not be surprised.
There are plenty of reasons why setting up a business in Italy would be suitable for your business growth.
